TWO
M EGAN SQUEEZED HER HANDS into tight fists under the desk, working hard on keeping her face serene as she attempted to meet the stubborn girl’s evasive eyes. They had been at this for weeks now, with no progress, no forward momentum. Just this same elusive detachment for anything and everything.
Megan tried again. “Krista, surely there is something you enjoy doing?”
The girl shrugged, staring out the window. “Are we done now?”
Megan sighed, rocking back in her squeaky chair, and watched the girl in front of her. “How long has it been since you watched a movie?”
Krista snapped her head to look at her. “A movie?”
“Yeah, like in the theatre? Or spent a day out on the town, having ice cream, going window shopping, watching cute guys?” Megan leaned forward as she saw a spark of interest in the girl’s eyes, but then it fizzled out.
“My mom used to take me to the movies.” Krista stared down at her hands, now still in her lap.
“That must have been a special time for the two of you,” Megan said softly, afraid to break the spell of Krista actually mentioning her mom.
Krista nodded. “Bridge to Terabithia.” She glanced at Megan before pulling her eyes away. “That was the last movie we saw.”
“I remember that one. It’s about two kids who create a fantasy world, right?”
Krista nodded. “I’ve watched it probably a hundred times since…streaming it.”
Megan nodded. “Does that help make it feel like your mom is with you?”
Krista darted her eyes to meet Megan’s, her brows narrowing, but then they softened. “Yeah.”
After a few more attempts, Megan realized that she had pulled all that she would out of Krista for now. With a satisfied sigh, she stopped pushing and joined Krista in looking out the window.
“You know,” Megan said with another sigh. She bent forward more until she could see the stables and the current rodeo star teaching the kids how to barrel race. “I’ve always wanted to learn how to ride.”
Krista turned toward her slowly. “You don’t know how to ride a horse?”
Megan laughed at the incredulousness in her voice. “No. No, I never had the opportunity.”
“Oh, that’s right, you’re a city girl.”
Megan laughed again, startling Krista, who watched her warily.
“I am, but I’ve always longed to be a country girl.” She leaned closer to Krista and lowered her voice to a whisper. “I even wore Wranglers and a cowboy hat for a while.”
“No…” Krista said, her eyes widening.
Megan shrugged, feeling her shoulders rise as a weight lifted off her. “I’ll see if I can find some pictures. We can both get a good laugh.”
Krista’s lips twitched into an almost-smile.
Megan glanced at the clock and turned back to the teenager, longing to break through to the diamond she knew was in the rough. “Well, our time is up, so I guess you can be rid of me now.”
Krista didn’t move. Instead, she sat there, her brows drawing together. Her mouth opened, shut, and opened again.
“You know whatever you say is kept between you and me, right, Krista? You’re safe to say whatever you need to here.” Megan leaned forward, holding her breath.
Krista rose and backed toward the door. Once her hand reached for the knob, she looked at Megan. “I could teach you.”
“Teach me?” Megan asked, sitting upright.
“Yeah, to ride.” Krista’s eyes widened, and the little pulse point in her throat vibrated as fast as a rabbit’s racing heart.
Megan smiled, a long, slow smile. “I’d like that. I’ll talk to Josie about when the horses would be available for us.”
Krista gave her a curt nod and raced out the door.
Megan breathed out a yes and pumped her arm in the air as she threw herself against the backrest of her seat. “And we have found our way in!”
“Huh?” Josie said as she walked through the slightly open door.
“Oh, hi.” Megan sat forward again, feeling the heat twist up her spine and into her face. She crammed some loose papers on her desk into a pile.
“You seemed quite excited, and I just saw Krista racing from here…” Josie lifted an eyebrow. “Does that mean you have made headway?”
Megan stood to greet Josie with a brief hug, then leaned against her desk. “I think so…that is, if you don’t mind us borrowing a couple of horses?”
“Horses…I should have known.” Josie tapped her chin as she looked toward the stables. “You two going to go on trail rides?”
“Well, maybe eventually?” Megan bit her lip. “She’s, uh, she’s going to teach me how to ride first.”
Josie brought her eyes back to Megan. “You don’t know how to ride?”
Megan shook her head and shrugged. “As Krista says, I’m a city girl.”
“Were a city girl. Now you’re a mountain woman.” Josie smiled. “You feel comfortable with this arrangement?”
“Yeah, I actually am. I think this will be good for both of us.”
“Done. Early morning is best, before it gets too hot.” Josie turned to leave but glanced back as she made it to the door. “You know, that’s how Cody reached Wylie.”
“Horses?” Megan asked, quickly remembering the story of how Josie, Cody, and Wylie became a family.
“Well, it started with roping, but a good cowboy has to learn to rope on horseback.” She sighed, seeming as if she had lost herself to the memory for a moment. “They’re magical creatures. Though I think you may get more than you bargained for.”
Megan cocked her head at the innuendo behind Josie’s words, wondering what she was up to.
“Oh, I almost forgot the reason I came here in the first place.” Josie leaned against the door. “It’s about Krista’s uncle.”
“She has an uncle?” Megan’s heart hammered, though she didn’t understand why. “I thought…I thought she didn’t have anyone left.”
“Well, that’s how the paperwork made it seem, but I guess this uncle is the reason she has been coming to Camp Hope. I suggested he meet with you?”
“Me?” Megan gulped, the elation at breaking through to Krista suddenly deflating.
“Yes. He has just returned to the States, and I think he’s trying to see if it would be best for Krista if he stayed out of her life.” Josie’s brow furrowed.
“Why would it be best for her only surviving relative to not be a part of her life?”
Josie shrugged. “I leave that psychological mess to you. He’ll be here at the end of the week. I’ll let you know when I’ve got a time.” Josie turned again. “Thanks for being here. The kids have only good things to say about you.” She waved and headed out the door.
A strange quivering, an unsettling combination of excitement and trepidation, fluttered inside Megan as she filled in notes of her meeting with Krista. She glanced at the clock and then her calendar, realizing she had the afternoon off.
Picking up her phone, she found her best friend’s number and clicked it.
“Hey, Chas,” Megan said when Chasity answered the phone.
“Hi! Kami and I were just talking about you,” Chasity said, her light voice giving Megan a sense of peace. The poor woman had been through too much in her life. Hearing her friend’s happiness filled Megan with tranquility, something she desperately needed at this moment.
“I have the afternoon off. What are you gals up to?” Megan put some files in her bag as she talked.
“Well, that’s what Kami and I were just talking about, wondering if you’d be up for some company. Kami wants to build an epic sand castle.”
Megan smiled. “Epic, huh? Well, I don’t have sand castle building equipment yet, but I could see what our little store has.”
“Oh, Derrick got her an entire kit. We just need you…and your sand.”
Megan slung her bag over her shoulder. “I’m on my way. I have one stop to make. You have a key. See you there!”
That brief conversation made her feel lighter on her feet as she dashed out the door, intent on finding Krista before she headed out. Megan found the girl sitting in the shade of a tree with a small group of kids, leaning forward, her face full of expression as she told them a story about a squirrel.
Megan froze behind a tree, silently watching Krista, her heart softening even more for the detached teen who transformed into a light when working with younger children.
“So you see, Mr. Squirrel really had a friend all along, didn’t he?” Krista asked the young faces staring up at her in adoration.
“Yes!” A little boy jumped up to his knees in excitement. “He just couldn’t see it because he was too worried about not having one at all.”
“That’s right, Cam,” Krista said, smiling at him. She raised her eyes and froze when she saw Megan standing there. “Okay, guys, it’s time for snack. Head back to the picnic tables.”
The kids cheered, jumping up and running past Megan at the thought of food. Krista stood much more slowly, brushing off her shorts and not meeting Megan’s eyes.
“That was quite the story. How did you memorize it?” Megan asked, leaning against the tree and trying to be casual.
“Memorize it?” Krista shook her head, clasping her trembling hands in front of her. “I just…I just make up the stories.”
Megan’s heart quickened. “You’re kidding.”
Krista glared at her. “Why doesn’t anyone ever believe me?”
Megan drew in a slow breath and, keeping her voice as gentle as possible, said, “It’s an expression, Krista. Of course I believe you…it’s just that the story was amazing.”
Krista rolled her eyes.
“I’m serious, girl. You have a talent.”
Krista shrugged and started toward the picnic area where the kids were being given snacks. “Little Cam felt lonely. I wanted him to know we were all his friends.”
Megan quelled the desire to bring this surly girl into her arms. “That’s very thoughtful of you.”
Krista shrugged again. “Someone should teach them that before they realize it’s all for nothing.”
Blowing out a breath, Megan touched her arm to stop her. “You still up for teaching me how to ride?” Sometimes the best way to stop the negative thought process was to shift the conversation.
Krista stopped and met her eyes. “You’re really going to let me teach you? I’m just a kid.”
“A smart, caring, young adult that has more knowledge about horses than I do. Yes, I really would like you to teach me.”
Krista’s mouth dropped open.
“Tomorrow morning? Josie says the earlier the better. I could be here by six, and we could be done in time for breakfast.” Megan held her hand out. “Deal?”
“Deal.” Krista took her hand, her eyes still holding a sense of disbelief. “What if I don’t do it right?”
“I don’t know enough to know if you do it right or not, but from what I figure, anything you show me is something more than I knew before. Besides, who gets to say what is the right way?”
“Krista, look! We have orange slices!” A little girl waved her over.
“I’ll let you get back to the kids.” Megan squeezed her arm. “See you at six.”
Megan couldn’t get the look of surprise on Krista’s face out of her mind as she drove back to her house. Her heart warmed, almost feeling full.
She found Chasity and Kami on the beach right off her deck, already started on the epic castle. She dropped her bag on the deck before joining them.
“Aunt Megan!” Kami ran over and gave her a sandy hug. “Look what we have already done.” The girl took Megan’s hand in a gritty grip and pulled her over to where Chasity piled more sand onto a growing mound.
“You guys have a great start for sure,” Megan said, dropping to her knees in the sand.
Megan let the worries of her mind filter through her as she helped mold the sandcastle. When Kami lost interest and started trying to catch butterflies instead, she sat back with a sigh.
“She’s doing so well, Chas,” Megan said, watching Kami run after the butterflies and flash them a smile when one landed on her.
“She is. We are happy. It’s official.” Chasity smiled. “We are Kami’s foster parents!”
“Woo-hoo!” Megan reached over to give Chasity a sideways hug. “Congratulations.”
“Thanks. As soon as the court case is over, we will move on to fost-adopt.” She rubbed a hand over her growing tummy. “We would love to have that finalized before this tiny bean joins the outside world.”
“I agree. I think that would help Kami with any residual feelings of not belonging,” Megan said, her thoughts going out to the little girl. “I’m so happy for you, Chas. Look how fast things are moving for you.”
“And you?” Chasity turned her attention on Megan, watching her daughter from the corner of her eye.
“Me?”
“Yes, any more sightings of a certain Durango?”
Megan laughed. “No more sightings, but I can’t help feeling like there will be.” Her mind drifted to a place where she ran into him again, then she shook her head. “I made headway with that girl I told you about.”
“The teen?” Chasity asked.
“Yeah, she’s going to teach me how to ride.”
“You…ride?” Chasity fully turned toward her now. “Really? You would go that far to reach this girl?”
Megan shrugged, keeping her eyes on Kami as she patiently held a finger in front of a periwinkle butterfly. “Yeah, she’s worth it. There is something about her that, I don’t know, fills a hole in my heart.”
“Aww,” Chasity said, sitting back and wiping at her eyes. “Man, I’m so weepy these days.”
Megan wrapped an arm tightly around her friend. “That’s okay. I could say it’s hormones, but there are a lot of reasons for happy tears in your life.”
“I’m so glad you’re here,” Chasity said, leaning her head on Megan’s shoulder.
“I am too.” Megan gave her friend a squeeze, letting the joy of friendship, of new beginnings, and of possibilities warm her heart.
Tyler grunted as he hefted another sheet of rotted siding into the dumpster he had rented. Wiping the sweat from his brow with his sleeve, he turned back toward the house. His leg ached, but it felt good to have his muscles working hard again.
The house was in even more shambles than he had thought the night he drove up. Luckily, the roof had held, but the gutters had fallen off, who knows how many years ago, which ruined most of the siding. He still didn’t know if he would end up staying here or selling the ranch, as heartbreaking as that would be. Either way, the work needed to be done, and he had nothing better to do.
“I’ll make it as good as it used to be, Dad, but the promise ends there,” he said, looking up into the cloudless sky. “And I’m making the kitchen Mom always wanted…” he finished as he strode back to pry the next piece of siding off.
Just as his stomach told him it was time to quit for lunch, gravel popped down the drive. He wiped the sweat from his face and pulled off his gloves as he walked out to see who had come visiting. It wasn’t unusual for the neighbors to pop in just to make sure nothing was amiss, but this didn’t sound like one of his neighbor’s trucks. It was loud and lifted with the stereo blaring.
Tyler stopped at his porch, shielding his eyes as the truck stopped. A smile spread across his lips in a way he hadn’t felt in some time as the driver jumped down from the truck and slammed the door.
“Well, look at what the cat dragged in,” Jordan said, and he clasped Tyler’s hand and pulled him in for a rocking hug. “Gosh, man, you have bulked out!”
Tyler smiled at Jordan, a guy he had known since the good old days of high school.
“How are you, man?” Tyler said as he stood back to take in the guy he hadn’t seen in too many years. Who was he kidding? He hadn’t seen much of anyone except his platoon… He shook his head, trying to push back the memory and focus on the man in front of him. “How’s Caitlin?”
Jordan’s smile faltered. “She left me.”
“No.” Tyler took a step back, shock ringing in his ears. “What happened? You guys were made for each other.”
“Yeah, I thought so, too.” Jordan lifted a shoulder, letting his eyes scan the house. “Funny. I keep thinking she’ll just come back one day…but it’s been almost four years.”
“Geez, man. That’s awful.”
“Awful like this mess?” Jordan walked past him to shove a finger in a rotted deck rail.
“Yeah, a major work in progress. Too many years without someone caring for it.” Tyler patted the house, feeling sympathy well up inside him. He wouldn’t push his friend. There were some things better left buried.
“You expecting to do this all on your own?” Jordan stepped back to take in the entire ranch.
Tyler shrugged. “Nothing else for me to do…at least for now.”
Jordan shook his head. “You’re not doing this alone. I’ll have my guys come and…”
“Your guys?”
“Yeah.” Jordan nodded to his truck where a sign on the door shone, Myers Construction. “Been running it for the last five years and doing well, if I do say so myself.”
Tyler laughed at Jordan’s brazenness. He had always had a cockiness about him. “I’m not sure I could afford your rates. The payments on that truck are probably more than this old place is worth.”
“Nah, not that much. Besides, pro bono.”
Tyler shook his head. “No, man. I don't need your charity.”
Jordan clutched at his heart as if he had been fatally wounded. “Charity? How could you, man?”
Tyler rolled his eyes and headed up the stairs, feeling Jordan’s eyes on his limp. “It’ll heal.” He turned back to Jordan at the door. “Come on in. I was about to fix some lunch.”
“Feel like Hope Cafe’s famous bacon burger instead?” Jordan waggled his eyebrows.
“Don’t feel like the fanfare of going into town just yet,” Tyler said, leaning against the door.
“Good news for you, ‘cause I got them to go.” Jordan smiled before he raced back to his truck.
“You’ve gone too far,” Tyler said, but he couldn’t stop his lips from curling or his mouth from watering as Jordan held up the greasy bag in triumph.
The conversation died down as they ate, swallowing gulps of soda to wash down the burgers. Tyler closed his eyes, savoring the best burger he had ever tasted and had thought he would never taste it again. “This is good. Thanks, man.”
“Hey, a taste of home always cures ya,” Jordan said. “So, what are your plans?”
Tyler wrapped up his trash and tossed it back into the bag before looking at Jordan. “Don’t really know.”
Jordan nodded, waiting.
“I’ll figure it out as it goes. For now.” Tyler let his eyes scan the kitchen he was in, blinking past the memories of his mom humming while cooking and then his sister doing the same thing, her belly huge with the promise of his niece. He swallowed. “I’ll fix this place up. Maybe by then I’ll know where I belong.”
“Where you belong?” Jordan’s eyes narrowed on him. “You belong here, man. With us. With all of us.”
“Us?”
“Yeah, me, Shane, Derrick…you know he got himself a wife now?” Jordan’s lips pulled into a smile. “And he’s the Sheriff.”
Tyler’s head spun with the sound of Derrick’s name, trying to place why he felt he heard it recently. Then the image of the beautiful blonde with the flat tire came into his mind. “Sheriff, huh?” He pushed back the thought of the woman, but Megan’s name kept replaying in his mind like a taunting song.
“Yep, it’s been a crazy few years without you.”
Tyler nodded, unable to tear his thoughts away from Megan. Was his old buddy Derrick the one she had called out to? She hadn’t acted like a married woman. He shook his head, rising from the table.
“It’s been crazy for sure,” Tyler muttered. Keeping his mind in the moment was the only way he could get through this. He knew it and needed to keep busy. “Thanks for the lunch. I’ve got to get back at it before the heat becomes unbearable.”
“Let me at least take a look? Give you direction? I can get the materials you need at cost. It’s the least I can do for a friend.” Jordan stood with him and slapped him on the back. “Come on.”
Tyler watched him walk out to inspect the house without waiting for an answer. He didn’t have it in him to fight against his headstrong friend. Besides, he really was in over his head. Growing up on the ranch taught him a lot of things, but he had never taken on a project this big on his own…not without his old man.
Jordan spent the next hour inspecting his house and making a list of what Tyler would need in order to get it back up to par. “If you don’t mind some advice, I would focus on the siding like you’re doing now, but once it’s open, it’d be best to work on fixing the rusted pipes and electrical before you close it back up. I’ve got plumbers and electricians on my payroll and they don’t mind side jobs.”
Tyler looked at the mess of wires running through the section he had already opened up, knowing when to admit he did not know how to mess with electricity. “I got the plumbing, but yeah, give me the name of the electrician.”
“Smart move. That stuff isn’t for everyone.” Jordan slapped his back before walking back toward his truck. He stopped near the porch and turned to Tyler. “It’s none of my business, but have you seen Tabby’s girl? I think about that poor thing often.”
Tyler stiffened. “Not yet.”
“What is she, like thirteen now?”
“Fifteen.” Tyler stood stock-still, pain lancing through not only his leg.
“You know, a place like this can get awfully lonely. It might be nice to have someone to share it with.” Jordan raised an eyebrow.
“She doesn’t know me.” Tyler clenched his jaw. “I’m not the greatest company anymore. That…that time messed me up, man.”
“Nothing like family to help you heal.” Jordan gave him his best winsome smile. “You’ve got support, brother. Don’t hesitate to reach out.” Jordan handed him a business card. “It’s the same number as always, but just in case you forgot.”
Tyler took the card, shutting down the emotions that boiled inside him.
“You know, we should all get together soon. The guys would love to see you, and Derrick’s wife is a fantastic cook. The little girl they are adopting is quite entertaining as well.” He reached to open the truck door. “Oh, and his wife’s friend is hot.”
Tyler let his lips twitch. “Good news for you, man.”
“Nah, she’s not my type. Besides, she thinks I’m a jerk.” Jordan laughed. “I’m damaged goods, anyway. I had my chance and screwed it up, but you,” Jordan looked past him to the house again, “you need a woman.”
“Ha,” Tyler chortled. That was the last thing he needed, someone else to fail, someone else to leave him.
“I’ll put something together and call you. You have a phone, don’t you?” Jordan asked.
Tyler nodded and gave him the digits. “But I don’t know about a party, Jordan. I…I’m not ready to…” Tyler let the words drop off, but they rebounded in his head—to live.
“All the more reason to surround yourself with friends.” Jordan flashed a smile before pulling himself into his truck and starting it with? a rumble. “I’ll be in touch soon!”
Tyler gave him a wave, keeping his feet grounded into the earth even after the rumble of the truck had long faded.
When he finally turned back to the house, loneliness filled him. He hadn’t noticed it so much before, but after it had been filled with someone else’s voice and laughter, it now seemed empty. Could he really take on his niece? Even if he was the only family she had left, that didn’t mean he’d be what she needed.
He tried to go back to work, but the momentum had fled, leaving him with a nostalgia that made him see flashes of his past everywhere he turned. He’d hear a noise from the barn and turn to see a ghostly memory of his pop’s whistling as he mucked out the stalls.
Bird calls reminded him of his sister’s giggles as she rode her horse in the arena. Man, Tabitha was good with horses. They all were, but Tabby had a gift with them. In his mind’s eye, he watched her ride her gelding, fluid as water, as if she were born on horseback.
He sighed, ripping off his gloves and throwing them on the porch. He wasn’t going to get any work done this way. Instead, he walked into the barn and uncovered the old quad. He had learned a bit of fiddling with engines while in the service. Maybe he could get the thing running and take a ride around the property, see how bad the fences were.
He focused on the machine in front of him. It was easier with the engine; he didn’t have to keep looking at the house filled with memories.
Tomorrow was another day. He could deal with the Krista issue then. He had until the end of summer…by then, he would have to decide.